The Saint Mary’s Gaels (5-2) travel to California to take on the Golden Bears (3-4) in a matchup that pits phenomenal offense against exceptional defense. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 146.5 points with Saint Mary’s opening as a 7.5-point favorite.
Saint Mary’s Gaels vs. California Golden Bears Free Prediction
In the Gaels’ last matchup, they were beaten by the Georgia Bulldogs, 83-81. Georgia’s 0.154 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Saint Mary’s, who had a mark of 0.041. The Bulldogs’ mark was below their season average of 0.337, while the Gaels’ was below their season average of 0.265. Jock Landale was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 16-for-25 shooting.
The Golden Bears won big over the CSUN Matadors in their last outing, 83-63. The Golden Bears made 17 of their 24 free throws (70.8 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.569 (above their season average of 0.487). Darius McNeill was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
Points could be at a premium in this battle between two of the NCAA’s premier defenses. Dating back to last season, California ranks 52nd in defensive efficiency (97.8) and Saint Mary’s is 35th (96.7). Furthermore, the Gaels rank 44th in turnover percentage (16.7 percent), while the Golden Bears rank 298th in opponents’ turnover percentage (17.1 percent).
Saint Mary’s has an outstanding 5-2 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Gaels’ 5 games that accepted bets, three have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, California owns records of 3-4 SU and 3-3 ATS. Much like Saint Mary’s, games involving the Golden Bears also have typically finished over the projected point total (66.7 percent).
Saint Mary’s Gaels at California Golden Bears Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Saint Mary’s, ATS Winner – California, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Saint Mary’s ranks 19th in assists per game (16.6) while California ranks 261st (11.9).
The Golden Bears rank 45th in rebounds per game (38.6) while the Gaels rank 218th (35.0).
California ranks 29th in blocks per game (4.9) while Saint Mary’s ranks 185th (2.9).
The Gaels rank 161st in three pointers attempted per game (21.3) while the Golden Bears rank 262nd (18.7).
California ranks 248th in steals per game (5.1) while Saint Mary’s ranks 286th (4.1).
